Courtney Robinson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism graduate student assigned to cover Tempe Preparatory Academy for AZPreps365.com

A strong offensive night for Phoenix Country Day enabled the Eagles to dominate Tempe Preparatory Academy in straight sets, 25-16, 25-10, and 25-11.

Thursday night’s match was a tough challenge for the Tempe Prep Knights (5-3), as they faced off against the reigning 2A state champions at Phoenix Country Day Gymnasium.

The Knights maintained a close battle in set one. Tempe Prep capitalized when  Phoenix Country Day (7-1) came out flat.

Eagles coach Kat Glaeseman pointed out that her team was trying to adjust to a new starting lineup due to injury.

“Halfway through the first set, we started to get comfortable with it,” Glaeseman said. “And that was our turning point.”

At 16-15, the Eagles pulled away with a nine-point run, led by sophomore Mia Warner. Heading into the match, Warner was unsure how the team would adjust to the recent lineup changes. 

“I was definitely a little nervous,” Warner said. “We were down a setter and a defensive specialist. So yeah, it was definitely going to be a lot of experimenting.”

In set one, Warner had six kills and two blocks. Glaeseman said the sophomore standout is one of their big hitters, and the Eagles try to force the ball to her a lot.

“Mia Warner went on a really good run, where she was hitting really well, and I think that demoralized the other team,” Glaeseman said.

Warner was relentless in the three-set sweep. She tallied 13 kills and three blocks.

Once the Eagles settled into the new lineup, the Knights struggled to produce points on the attack.

“I definitely think we will be working on our offense,” said Tempe Prep freshman captain Emily Youngs. “Tonight, our offense was off.”

In set two the Knights' offense produced three kills, two from sophomore captain Jasmine Garcia  and one from junior Kailey Gonzalez. As a unit, the Tempe Prep offense struggled to find a rhythm. Jasmine Garcia still managed to slam five kills, and senior Hanna Garcia tallied four kills on the night.

Aside from the stat sheet, finding a consistent spark has been a struggle for the Knights this season.

“We have talked about the same things over and over again,” said Tempe Prep assistant coach Brittany Peters. “It’s the energy level.”

Peters was particularly proud of Garcia’s reception to coaching advice. 

“She was playing well,” Peters said. “Her attitude and energy were getting a lot better, and she was really trying to pick up the team tonight.”

Freshman Emily Youngs tries to radiate energy to her team by entering each game with a positive mindset.

“My mental game is usually just trying to forget my mistakes,” Youngs said. “You know, I just tell everyone to shake off their mistakes, and try to excite the team.”

In set three the Knights found some early momentum. The Eagles quickly pulled away after the 7-6 serve to go on a five-point run.

“I just want them to have more fun and to play better,” Peters said. “They have so much potential.”

The Knights are still hopeful for the rest of their schedule.

“I’m just excited to spend this season with my team,” Youngs said. “I’ve known a lot of the girls on the team for a couple of years now, so I am just excited to keep playing with them because it is a really great group of girls.”

Tempe Prep (5-3) travels to Santa Cruz Valley to face the Dust Devils (2-4) at 6 p.m. Monday.

Phoenix Country Day (7-1) hosts No. 1-ranked Phoenix Christian (4-0) at 5 p.m. Monday.